Saturday, February 20, 2010

Furniture is what makes our little Jewel Box® Houses a home! Some furniture can be pricey so it is important to choose the right pieces when looking for a new addition. I like to choose versatile pieces in my home so that my furniture does double duty since our house is so small. Choosing functional furniture can be difficult. Here are a few suggestions.

Chairs that match the decor add to the room, but also provide comfortable seating for guests. Look for dining room chairs and living room seating that can be rearranged to accomodate guests and crowds that visit.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

In a small home, finding a place for kids and all their stuff can drive you crazy!Last week I showed you my basement. It's where I store my kids, their friends and everything that goes along with raising children until they come off the family payroll. If you missed the photos click here.

But what if you don't have a basement? Then the kids and their stuff goes in the living room or family room. When my husband I had our first son, we lived in a one bedroom condo. All the kid's toys and gear was stored in the shared living room and eating area off the small kitchen. (We also slept in a futon every night in the living room so our little guy could sleep in a quiet place. But that is another story.) The key to making this work is having attractive closed storage in the room. Take a look these built-in storage solutions.

Built in cabinet storage makes this family/living room a good space for kids and adults. Use open storage for TV and books, closed storage for games, craft projects and even school work. Here are more room options with built-in storage solutions.

I would not use this coffee table with young children because of the sharp edges. But hard wood floors are a great option for kids. And yes, white can work in a shared living space. Especially if cushions are slip covered and washed on a regular basis.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

I love my collections!! My favorite things to hunt for are old antique keys, antique transferware and jadite dishes, antique or vintage pictures of roses and old photos of vintage people. I love to decorate my house with these fun finds! But I find in my little tiny cottage that the areas to display my treasures are few and far between, especially as my collections grow.

Collections don't have to be hidden away in cabinets, drawers or the attic. Get down your collections and let's put them to good use!

One of my favorite things to do with my plates is to hang them on the walls! A beautiful display of my transferware is a lovely addition to my decor. Dishes and plates don't have to be relegated to the kitchen or dining area only-display them above your mantle, or on a plate rail in the hall. Grouped together, any collection is more eye catching and artful!

Collections like stamps, old travel stickers or brochures, postcards and pictures are wonderful works of art! Frame them all together or individually and group them in a setting and you will liven up your walls while at the same time showing off your beautiful trinkets!

I am always looking for ways to display my photographs. By using a little acid-free glue and adhering their old family portraits to flea-market finds, this collector found a double-duty way to display their loved ones.

My antique keys dangle from every cabinet door in my house on lovely ribbons, key chains and fabric remnants. I love to glue them to beautiful wallpaper and frame them as well. I love the cohesive look this doorknob lover has given to her treasures by simply grouping them together in an artistic display. Knock Knock!

Family pictures make a house a home by reflecting the people that live within! I am always looking for areas to show off my beautiful family! Table tops, shelves and counters are great places to hold picture frames.

I also love the idea of gathering black and white photographs for a more modern display, matting them and framing them all in the same style frame. By leaning them, overlapping, on a shelf with a few contemporary accessories, you can show off your family in a dramatic fashion.

Covering a kitchen back splash or office bulletin board with cork and pinning photos to it is also another clever way to showcase and alternate out your latest snapshots.

I think it is fun to alternate your collection displays. Gently pack away some of your treasures and pull a switcheroo on your family and friends by pulling out something you haven't shown off in a while. This freshens up your decor and allows those of us living in a smaller home a way to add to and showcase our growing collections!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Put kids in the basement. Mine are the boys at the ends on the left and right.

This past week my friend and neighbor put her house up for sale. Why? They want more room for their three children. Space for kids and all their 'stuff' is the most common reason people move to a bigger house.

But what if you don't want to move or can't trade-up? A quiet corner can always be found for a baby and crib along with extra drawer space for those darling little clothes. But what about toddlers and their 'developmental' toys? Or grade-school kids and all the equipment that goes with the 'I'm trying out for everything phase' or the newest 'everyone has one' gadget/toy? And where do you put a 6' 1" teen age boy and his library of video gaming equipment? What about a moody 16-year-old girl, her make-up, hair accessories and all those clothes?

Many of you are literally standing on the answer. Put the kids and all their stuff in the basement!

Here is how I do it.

A small basement storage closet at the bottom of the steps.

A study/game table and couch.

The music, television and video game 'control' center.

The computer and study center. Games, books and supplies are kept in the cabinets. (The green cord running to the television is some kind of elaborate set-up for video games. I can't begin to tell you how it works.)

Basement shower under the stairs.

The basement bathroom.

Basement vanity and small sink.

A close-up of the couch. The commercial grade carpet used in office buildings is more than seven years old.

Basement lounging. My boys are the two on the left. And notice those feet on the pillow. This is the reason to always choose durable stain resistant furniture for basement use.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

While small home living can be cozy bliss, it can also feel crowded and suffocating when "snowed in" during the winter! Our part of the United States, has experienced more than its share of the usual winter weather and we have found ourselves quite literally unable to leave the house on more than one occasion this season. The familiar phrase "cabin fever" is especially true in a small home if you are stuck indoors during the winter!

I find it helps to beat the winter doldrums, by turning my focus and attention back to my home and feathering my little nest! Since we spent the entire month of January organizing and clearing out clutter, now is the perfect time to add those little details that really make your house your home.

1. Get some new throw pillows! Pack away the old couch cushions or the throw pillows on the bed and spruce up the room with something new. Inexpensive and varied, pillows can instantly give a room a lift! Try something new! Go with a pattern instead of a solid. Are you normally someone who loves florals? Try a stripe or polka dot!

2. Light some candles. Nothing gives ambiance to a room like firelight. In our little Jewel Box Home, we don't have the space for a fireplace and I depend on candle or candelabras a lot to set the mood. Light some candles at the dinner table. Get some yummy smelling scented candles for the bathroom. Try a wall sconce with candles in the bedroom for a cozy glow!

3. Switch out the old familiar fabrics. Just like you did with the throw pillows, do with other fabrics in your home. Pull down your unused linens and switch out sheets and pillowcases, tablecloths or try some new (or rarely used) curtains. Just switching out the small details can really lift the spirits during winter.

4. Bring in some of the outdoors! My spirit longs for spring this time of year. I dream of days spent sunning in a lawn chair or working in my vegetable garden or flowerbeds. Head to the Home Improvement store for a little pick me up in the form of a houseplant. My favorite is the African Violet. Set three in a row in your kitchen window and they will give you just the smile you need. Get a sprig of lavender or rosemary for an indoor herb garden. Aromatic and beautiful, you can use their foliage in your evening meal! And the ever-hardy ivy is always a pleaser. I find that out of all the house plants I've owned, ivy will make me proud and grow when none of the others will!

5. Try a new recipe! Nothing makes a home more cozy than a little home cooking! Soups and stews simmering on the stovetop can make home feel like paradise after a long day's work. Homemade rolls or cookies in the oven are especially fragrant and sweet. My favorite thing on a cold winter day is homemade chicken noodle soup. Comforting and decadent, my recipe will make you feel like curling up on the couch with a blanket and the latest bestseller!

Amber's Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe1. Stew one 3-31/2 pound chicken in a big stock pot with one diced onion, three cloves minced garlic, two bay leaves, one teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper, three chicken bouillon cubes, salt and pepper until done. About an hour.2. Remove chicken and de-bone. Set aside.3. Strain stock to remove bay leaves and onion.4. Add one cup each of diced carrots and celery. Cook about ten minutes until tender.5. Add 2 cups egg noodles. Cook according to package directions.Here's the secret. Here's what makes people say "This is the best soup ever!"6. Add one cup heavy cream and one cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir and heat thoroughly.7. Serve with homemade rolls or crusty French bread and a yummy garden salad.8. Accept compliments.Tip: I like to leave my chicken in bigger chunks, so you almost have to use a fork. It feels more substantial and comforting.Sometimes I like to sprinkle a little fresh rosemary on top to make it pretty, but also for the flavor.